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Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin (2024)

2024 • 2h 12m • Drama, History • PG-13
On September 30, 2026
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Brent Marchant on Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin

4/10 · Dec 1, 2024

It's true that stories about unsung heroes are valuable, especially when they aim to correct historical neglect. However, writer-director Todd Komarnicki’s film honoring Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) (played by Jonas Dassler), a German theologian who opposed the Nazis and their treatment of Jews and other prisoners during World War II, largely fails to achieve that worthwhile purpose. To be straightforward, the movie is incredibly boring, leaning heavily on lengthy speeches and drawn-out discussions instead of creating an interesting or captivating experience. If Bonhoeffer was as important as people say he was in leading German resistance and criticizing the national church’s support for Adolf Hitler's policies, his actions don’t come across as particularly clear or informative within this film. The structure, which jumps between Bonhoeffer’s final days and flashbacks to earlier events, doesn't help clarify his story; instead, it often obscures important moments in his life. A significant problem is the apparent manipulation of historical facts – some events are invented, others changed, and still more presented with questionable evidence. This leaves viewers unsure what to trust due to the film’s inaccuracies and lack of clarity. Even the title feels misleading, suggesting qualities about Bonhoeffer's actions that seem dubious, particularly regarding his alleged role as a spy and assassin. There are occasional moments when Bonhoeffer’s strong opinions are conveyed through powerful speeches (and some of his colleagues also deliver memorable lines), but these instances are too infrequent to compensate for the film's shortcomings. Furthermore, his extensive writing career is barely acknowledged; his 34 volumes of work are reduced to a minor detail and a few brief mentions. It’s disappointing to see a movie make so many errors, especially when it concerns someone who supposedly had such a significant impact. The problems in this production continue throughout.

Source on TMDB